02 Apr How was 2024 for the pre-cooked pulses sector?

The cooked pulses sector, and the food industry in general, experienced a challenging year (as has become common in recent years). The sector underwent several significant changes and trends, faced rising production costs due to increases in energy and transportation prices, and dealt with inflation.

However, the annual balance for the cooked pulses sector was positive. In fact, the cooked pulses sector experienced significant growth. It solidified its market position while reflecting changes in consumer habits. Evidence of this is the growing preference for cooked pulses over dry ones.

Currently, cooked pulses represent almost 57% of total legume consumption, while dry pulses account for 43%. This trend highlights an increasing preference for more convenient and ready-to-eat products. Nevertheless, in terms of market value, dry pulses maintain a slight edge with 53.4% compared to 46.6% for cooked pulses.

INCREASED PULSES CONSUMPTION.

Throughout 2024, pulses consumption increased. Per capita pulses consumption showed an upward trend, reaching 3.34 kilograms per person during the year—an increase of 2.3% compared to the previous period. This rise is partly attributed to the growing popularity of cooked pulses, which offer quicker and easier preparation.

Thus, legume consumption has been increasing for several years, accompanied by changes in dietary trends and preferences. The popularity of organic pulses, ready-to-eat options, and small formats for individual consumption has also grown. Additionally, the trend toward consuming single-dish meals has gained momentum.

However, the increasing focus on good nutrition makes it essential for these single dishes to meet all nutritional needs. In this regard, pulses preserves have been reinforced by their nutritional value, ease of preparation at home, and convenience for consumption.

GROWTH OF PRIVATE LABELS.

One reason the current social context favors the consumption of cooked pulses is their affordability, especially in the case of private label products. This has become a key factor when filling shopping baskets. Private label brands have gained market share in the cooked pulses segment and are nearing the value share of manufacturer brands.

The steady advance of private labels is not solely due to their price. While they are more economical, the stigma associated with private labels has diminished, and they are now considered viable options with equal or even better consumer perception. In fact, some private labels have become consumer favorites.

INNOVATION IN PRODUCTS AND PROCESSES.

Consumers have also demanded innovation in food this year. Innovating in a mature market like canned vegetables is no easy task. The competition is intense, and supermarkets have limited capacity to introduce new products. In this context, each company has followed its strategy, and for Autor Foods, it has been to focus on specialization. We have concentrated on producing canned cooked pulses and organic pulses preserves.

We have also invested in developing our own R&D department to foster the launch of new products and serve our B2B clients. While innovation in this sector is challenging, there is always room for improvement. To achieve this, we study consumer trends and preferences to create new combinations.

Innovation in the legume sector in 2024 has not been limited to products themselves. Companies have also worked to improve production processes, optimizing them to ensure food quality and safety through stringent controls and advanced technologies.

All these efforts have enabled many companies to report significant growth in 2024. This success is also linked to the rise in plant-based protein consumption. The trend toward plant-based diets and the demand for plant proteins suggest a promising future for cooked pulses. The industry is aware of this and continues adapting to consumer preferences, offering more convenient products aligned with healthy and sustainable lifestyles.

EXPORTING COOKED PULSES.

The export of cooked pulses was also pivotal this year. International markets are increasingly receptive to these products, with a particular appreciation for Spanish foods due to the high-quality standards upheld by the food industry and the high scores achieved by canning companies in audits, such as those granting the IFS Food certification.

In our case, although the domestic market absorbs a large part of production, we export canned pulses to countries worldwide. Our products reach markets from France and Germany to the US and Canada, as well as Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Around 40% of our preserves are destined for international markets. We have a strong presence in Europe and America, but our products also reach Africa and Asia.